My friend stands by me.
My friend stands beside me.
乍然看来,这两个句子都是表示我的朋友站在我身旁之意,其实不然。
短语to stand by someone的意思是支持某人(to support someone);to stand beside someone才是立于某人之旁(to stand by the side of someone)。因此,上面的第一句应译作:我的朋友支持我;第二句译作:我的友人站在我的身旁。
下面再请看两个类例:
If they try to make you resign,well stand by you.
如果他们要你辞职,我们会支持你的。
We saw you stand beside the president in the newsreel.
我们在资讯片里看见你站在总裁的身旁。
如果stand by之后的宾语不是人,而是没有生命的事物,stand by就不作支持解,而是在之旁之意。如:
Their house stands by a forest.
他们的房子在森林的旁边。
除此之外,stand by还可以表示袖手旁观之意。例如:
How can you stand by and watch while your allies are attacked?
当你们的盟友受到攻击之时,你们又怎能袖手旁观呢?
在英语里,与此类似的句子甚多,现举数例,以见一斑:
They came for our aid.
他们前来请求我们帮助。
They came to our aid.
他们来帮助我们。
He did it by himself.
他独自去做此事。
He did it of himself.
他自愿去做此事。
Shut the door after you.
随手关门。
Shut the door behind you.
把你背后的门关上。
Were afraid of you.
我们怕你。
Were afraid for you.
我们替你担心。
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